Monday, June 23rd, Iran retaliated two days after the U.S. had targeted key nuclear sites in the country. This retaliation came in the form of a barrage of missiles headed for a key United States military air base in the Middle East.
Thankfully, air defense countermeasures were deployed quickly and effectively. After the assault, social media has been exploding with videos capturing the missiles in the sky.
Iran’s Escalation
Iran didn’t needlessly target the U.S. Air Force base for no reason. Usually, in military conflicts, it’s an eye-for-an-eye, and the missile barrages were a response to what Tehran called open military aggression.
The U.S. bombed nuclear sites two days prior in a bid to dismantle Iran’s efforts to develop nuclear weapons, which they are banned from having, according to the United Nations.
The Base That Was Targeted
The military base that was targeted was Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. This is America’s largest air base in the Middle East and is the main staging ground for operations in the region.
Al Udeid is an important military asset, housing about 10,000 American military soldiers and important international figures. The missile barrage intentionally targeted the base rather than civilian areas, showcasing that Iran wanted to warn America rather than directly inflict casualties.
A Warning
Surprisingly, before Iran sent out their barrage of missiles, they informed the U.S. of their intentions, wanting to send a message rather than start a conflict. This gave American personnel time to prepare for the barrage and make the necessary evacuations in time.
American troops had time to deploy the air base’s missile countermeasure systems, which met the missiles in the sky above the base, destroying all but once, which didn’t land anywhere where it would have harmed anyone.
What Qatar Saw
While the missiles’ destination was the air force base, Doha, the capital of Qatar, was still close enough to hear the interceptions and resulting explosions in the air. This led to officials in Doha alerting residents and asking them to stay inside until the missiles were gone.
Residents were also told that they were not being targeted and were assured that they were in relative safety.
The Importance Of Al Udeid
Al Udeid Air Base is arguably the most important U.S. installation in the Middle East, acting as a headquarters for American military and giving them a large presence in the area. This base was established nearly 30 years ago, and has since deployed operations from Egypt to Central Asia.
The base is capable of quickly deploying troops, medical evacuations, refueling, and running logistics, making it a crucial asset to the United States.
The Bigger Conflict
The missiles that were launched at Al Udeid Air Base are just the latest escalation amid rising tensions between Israel, Iran, and the U.S. Following Iran’s development of nuclear sites, Israel responded with a strike called Operation Rising Lion on Friday, June 13th.
Iran’s retaliating for a second time, this time directing its focus on an American base, sends a clear message that Iran wants the U.S. to know it’s not untouchable.
Reactions From Other Nations
The gradual escalation between the nations has been met with polarizing reactions from different countries. Qatar itself has denounced the actions the U.S. took when it targeted Iran’s nuclear assets but has also condemned Iran’s response.
The country has called it a breach of Qatari sovereignty and wants to avoid any bloodshed. Trump has called the missile barrage a “very weak response” but acknowledged the heads-up that was given by Iran.
What Happens Next?
Despite many believing that these actions could cause an all-out war, both Iran and the U.S. have shown their intentions. The U.S. wants Iran to negotiate, and Iran wants retribution for the targeted strikes, but neither nation wants to get into a war.
However, only time will tell what kind of resolution can be made, and if it will happen without any further escalations.
The Message Is Clear
The missile barrage was a clear message to the U.S. by Iran. The nation will retaliate when necessary.
The U.S. and Israel praise both strikes on Iran and see it as a precautionary measure to keep the peace, lest the country get ahold of nuclear weapons it is banned from having in the first place.
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